Ronaldo shows off Ballon d'Or before firing Madrid to La Liga summit

The Portuguese presented the individual award to a packed Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday and then helped his side leapfrog Barca and Atletico at the top of the table

Cristiano Ronaldo presented the Ballon d'Or to the Santiago Bernabeu faithful ahead of Real Madrid's 2-0 win on Saturday before firing them to the top of La Liga.

The 28-year-old forward scored his 40th goal for club in country in 2013-14 as Los Blancos moved to the Spanish summit for the first time since winning the title in May 2012.

The Portugal international claimed the prestigious Ballon d'Or earlier in January and showed off the award prior to kick-off as Madrid's fans held aloft gold cards to form a spectacular mosaic at the stadium.

Ronaldo posed with the trophy on his own and then with the rest of his team-mates and the club's 78-year-old pitch supervisor, Agustin Herrerin.

"Sharing the Ballon D'Or with fans was exciting and I'm very happy," the Seleccao star told reporters after the game. "It's an award for everyone.

"I want to keep improving until end of season and help Real Madrid. I feel people back me and that makes me work harder."

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Saturday night's celebration was a stark contrast to the last time he had faced Granada at the stadium, when he netted twice in September 2012 but told media after the game how he was "sad" and upset with the club.

Ronaldo helped Madrid to a 2-0 win as he broke the deadlock with a lovely left-footed goal in the 57th minute, while he also struck the bar with a venomous free kick and forced a fine save with a spectacular overhead effort.

He also played a part in his side's second, scored by Karim Benzema, as Madrid won a seventh consecutive match without conceding for the first time in their history and, more importantly, returned to the top of La Liga for the first time in 20 months.

However, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are only two points behind and can move back ahead of Los Blancos by winning their respective fixtures on Sunday. Barca are at home to Malaga, while Atletico travel to nearby Rayo Vallecano.